equity and auditions

[TheatreGuy06]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 12:35am

There are so many things that I don't know yet about AEA that it makes me sad lol. Anyway, my question is about having a good agent and not being equity. Lets say that I know an agent, a good one, that is willing to help me get into an appointment audition without having to go through the cattle call business and I am NOT equity. Is that possible? I am not saying that I do know someone I am just wondering about how this stuff works. If I want to be in a national tour and there is an open call for this national tour and I'm not equity...is it possible to be seen without being equity? like with someone you know to get u that appointment?

[MusicalComedyMan]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 1:20am

Yes... If you have an agent that can get you into the agent call it is actually MUCH BETTER for you then the open call. And you don't have to be AEA to have an agents audition.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 1:34am

What national tour?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 2:19am

They will see non-Equity performers if there is room--but this is very hard as most auditions fill up. Male dance calls are apparently the easiest to get into.

For more on the different types of Equity auditions:
http://web.actorsequity.org/CastingSearch

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 2:31am

Hey cool. The dinner theatre I will hopefully be working at next year (maybe even production staff) has posted equity auditions for Miss Saigon. Wouldn't it be cool if I did get the job and got to work on a professional production of Miss Saigon?!?! They are also doing Cats, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Annie and Anything Goes. How exciting, huh? If anyone wants to audition for something, there are NYC auditions. Here is the info.
Info

Updated On: 12/29/03 at 02:31 AM

[Erica]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 2:35am

I've been wondering about this for a while too ... Okay, so if there's an upcoming audition in which the notice states "Equity Auditions for ..." as opposed to "REQUIRED Equity Auditions for ...," if I were to show up, being non-equity, would they turn me down or, if there's enough time, still see me, since the emphasis of being equity isn't as stressed as usual?

Also, since a certain casting company doesn't allow contact via e-mail, would it be somewhat rude and an annoyance if I were to call up their offices, dial some random extension (there's no operator), and ask them about these auditions?

[Erica]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 2:36am

-- Updated On: 12/29/03 at 02:36 AM

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 2:36am

Equity Info

[Amneris]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 8:38am

take this advice, DO NOT call any casting directors office to ask a question about an audition...esp. when you are NOT equity.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 11:27am

"Required Equity audition" only means that a long running show is required to hold auditions every so often.

Carousel is probably a great place for you to start out--build up your resume, even join the Equity Membership Candidate program to earn your points while working there (more info at Equity's web site). This is how I got my card, working in the Houston theatres. =)

[Phantom05]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 4:55pm

So a non-equity actor can show up to a "Required Equity Call" or not?!?

See Ya!

Phantom05

Updated On: 12/29/03 at 04:55 PM

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 7:22pm

JRB, PM about equity cards, etc. I don't quite understand. Thanks.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/29/03 at 9:37pm

Phantom05: Yes--but the chances of getting in a slim

BwayTheatre11: PM your questions--or we can discuss here. =)

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 1:22pm

REQUIRED EQUITY CALL means: "there are no jobs really available but we are holding these auditions because the union requires us to hold auditions every 6 mos"

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 2:16pm

REQUIRED EQUITY CALL means: "there are no jobs really available but we are holding these auditions because the union requires us to hold auditions every 6 mos"



ROTFLMAO. EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I it always amuses me when someone asks me about Required calls and I explain it to them and they give this very bewildered look and ask "By why would they hold auditions if they aren't going to cast someone?"

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 3:44pm

<<>>

In that way, it resembles LORT Lottery. Thank God they did away w/ that!! Remember how excited people would get that they were chosen for a LORT Lottery audition slot? and for what. I knew plenty of the LORTs attending and they never even kept resumes; most didn't even send a rep who was in casting authority. And you had to bring you own accompanist!! jeeesh.

Did anyone EVER get work thru that?

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 5:38pm

Well, usually when something is REQUIRED, the company has to do it no matter what. I also hate when people just audition for one show over and over and over. They act like it is the only show on Bway.

[shermanslave]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 7:05pm

EPA's are a joke here in NYC; especially for a new cast for Broadway. A few years ago when they were auditioning for the Charlie Brown revival the audition was a madhouse. Tons of people there and the alternate list was somethimg like 300 people. Then only about 3 days later the cast was announced and I was like, "hmm, I didn't see B.D. Wong or Anthony Rapp in line at Equity at 5 AM..."

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 12/31/03 at 7:29pm

"take this advice, DO NOT call any casting directors office to ask a question about an audition...esp. when you are NOT equity"

I don't see why not? It can't really hurt to ask. How can you become a member of equity if you don't ask questions; even if that means calling a casting director's office?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/31/03 at 8:59pm

Casting Directors have nothing to do with Equity. You just don't call their offices either.

[CourtneyM]

Posted: 12/31/03 at 9:45pm

Most casting directors put a note in their casting notices saying not to call or visit.